Victoria's new X'Trapolis 2.0 will replace the oldest Melbourne trains still running across three major lines
Around 1,000 train drivers have started preparing to operate the X’Trapolis 2.0 — the next generation of Melbourne trains set to enter passenger service later this year.
Built in Ballarat by manufacturer Alstom, the new Melbourne trains will progressively replace the ageing Comeng fleet, which has been running on the suburban network since 1981. Drivers are getting up to speed on a full-size replica that simulates real-world scenarios across several routes, familiarising themselves with new controls and onboard systems before the carriages start carrying passengers. It’s a similar approach to the Metro Tunnel’s driver preparation program, which trained hundreds of drivers on the High Capacity Metro Trains ahead of their rollout.
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Co-designed with the people who’ll actually be behind the controls, the X’Trapolis 2.0 is built to be smarter and more intuitive to operate than its predecessor. Onboard features include real-time fault alerts, rear-facing cameras for improved visibility and semi-automated boarding ramps designed to speed up passenger boarding and make it more accessible.
Melbourne trains’ Comeng fleet finally heading for retirement
Each X’Trapolis 2.0 carries around 1,225 passengers — nearly 10 per cent more than the Comeng carriages it replaces. The fleet will run on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines, delivering smoother, higher-capacity trips for thousands of daily commuters across the city’s north and south-east.
The rollout coincides with broader service improvements on those same corridors. Extra off-peak services are arriving on the Craigieburn and Upfield lines from mid-2026, while Frankston Line trains have returned to the City Loop with an additional 12 weekly services following the completion of level crossing works along the line.
$986 million to modernise the rail network
The fleet renewal forms part of a $986 million Victorian government investment covering all 25 new X’Trapolis 2.0 trains alongside upgrades to the Craigieburn Train Maintenance Facility, where the fleet will be housed and serviced.
All 25 trains are being assembled at Alstom’s Ballarat facility with a 60 per cent local content quota, supporting up to 750 jobs across the supply chain and up to 150 in the Ballarat area. The project has transformed the century-old workshop into a modern manufacturing hub kitted out with specialised equipment for the build.
It’s the latest in a run of major rail upgrades across the state, from the Suburban Rail Loop’s construction ramp-up between Cheltenham and Box Hill to the first stage of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link breaking ground at Sunshine.
What commuters can expect from the X’Trapolis 2.0
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the simulator program is ensuring drivers are well across the new systems before the fleet enters service. For anyone who’s spent years on a rattling Comeng carriage, the upgrade brings wider walk-through carriages, improved air suspension for a noticeably smoother ride and designated spaces for wheelchairs, prams and bicycles.
The first Melbourne trains services running the X’Trapolis 2.0 are expected in the coming months, with the full fleet rolling out progressively as Comeng carriages are retired from the network for good.
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